Balto (1995)

An outcast half-wolf risks his life to prevent a deadly epidemic from ravaging Nome, Alaska.

Director:

Simon Wells

Writers:

Cliff Ruby (screenplay), Elana Lesser (screenplay)

Stars:

Kevin Bacon, Bob Hoskins, Bridget Fonda

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kevin Bacon	...	Balto (voice)
Bob Hoskins	...	Boris (voice)
Bridget Fonda	...	Jenna (voice)
Jim Cummings	...	Steele (voice)
Phil Collins	...	Muk and Luk (voice)
Jack Angel	...	Nikki (voice)
Danny Mann	...	Kaltag (voice)
Robbie Rist	...	Star (voice) (as Robby Rist)
Juliette Brewer	...	Rosy (voice)
Sandra Dickinson	...	Sylvie and Dixie / Rosy's Mother (voice) (as Sandra Searles Dickson)
Miriam Margolyes	...	Grandma Rosy / Extra Voices (voice)
Lola Bates-Campbell	...	Granddaughter
Donald Sinden	...	Doc (voice)
William Roberts	...	Rosy's Father (voice)
Garrick Hagon	...	Telegraph Operator (voice)

Storyline

A half-wolf, half-husky named Balto gets a chance to become a hero when an outbreak of diphtheria threatens the children of Nome, Alaska in the winter of 1925. He leads a dog team on a 600-mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness to get medical supplies. The film is based on a true story which inspired the Iditarod dog sled race.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | nome alaska | alaska | children | iditarod | 

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Taglines:

Part Dog. Part Wolf. All Hero.

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Drama | Family | History

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Balto

Filming Locations:

Universal Cartoon Studios - 121 W Lexington Avenue, Glendale, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$11,268,750

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblimation, Amblin Entertainment, Universal Cartoon Studios

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

DTS-Stereo DTS

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael McShane's first time voice acting in a theatrical film, later he'd go onto voice Tuck and Roll the Pillbugs in A Bug's Life (1998), Hands the Alien Pirate in Treasure Planet (2002), Hymo in Thru the Moebius Strip (2004), Rumpelstiltskin in Happily Never After (2007), and Farmer Pig in The Angry Birds Movie sequels.

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Goofs

When Steele is falling down the cliff with Jenna's bandana in his mouth, right before he hits the bottom, the bandana turns white.

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Quotes

Boris: Let me tell you something, Balto. A dog cannot make this journey alone
[starts to walk off, but stops suddenly]
Boris: but... maybe a wolf can.

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Crazy Credits

After the credits, Fievel from "An American Tail" (1986) pushes the Amblimation logo into place, then stands next to it and his hat falls down over his eyes.

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Alternate Versions

All non US/UK versions have the film's characters dubbed in local language.

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Connections

Featured in AniMat's Classic Reviews: Balto (2015)

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Soundtracks

Reach for the Light
Composed by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Performed by Steve Winwood
Backing Vocals: Bonnie Keen (uncredited), Chris Rodriguez (uncredited), Micah Wilshire (uncredited), and Tina Clark (uncredited)
Chorus: Caitlin McCollister (uncredited), Elizabeth Winwood (uncredited), Emily Estes (uncredited), Evan Brooder (uncredited), Gianno Caputo (uncredited), Holly Burt (uncredited), Jamie Grable (uncredited), Joel Dunham (uncredited), Katy Dunham (uncredited), Lauren Caputo (uncredited), Leah Lofton (uncredited), Mary Claire Winwood (uncredited), Natalia DiGesare (uncredited)

User Reviews

This movie was great, and I cannot see how someone could not like it.

It is only my opinion, but this was probably one of the best animated movies I have ever viewed. I cannot understand why someone could disagree against this movie. Character voicing was superb, full of life and very well constructed. Aniamtion was beautiful, with smooth backgrounds and even up to the little details such as footprints left behind in the snow. The music was probably the best part of all, with the excellent orchestral background, full of dramatic phrases during an intense part of the movie. It especially sounds great when you're supporting surround sound.

This movie was a great movie and people think it was one of the greatest letdowns in the 1990's. In my opinion, it was the greatest animated movie and I would recommend that you should watch it with your family or with a friend. It is a fantastic movie...